Wild Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) has edible berries that burst with their signature sweet flavour and ripen from June to August depending on your region. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, these berries are definitely a must-have for your garden (or forest garden) if your conditions are right. Blueberries do best in acidic soils with the optimum soil pH being 4.5 to 5.0, but plants usually do fine a little above or below this range. If pH is above 5.5, leaves become chlorotic and plants lose vigor. Very acidic soils (pH < 4.0) can also reduce growth, particularly those with significant amounts of clay. These plants will benefit from the addition of compost, leaf litter, and pine needles.
Wild blueberry can be difficult to grow from seed and may take multiple seasons to germinate. As such, it may not be a great option for beginner gardeners. It may also take up to 3 years for plants to produce fruit.
Growing Instructions:
Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Note, often two rounds of cold stratification are required to break dormancy. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.